who rules america?
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Who Rules America?. “ We the People…”. I ask you…. The I rony of Democracy. “The Power Elite Theory”. American political life is based on an ELITE theory of Democracy. They challenge the PLURALISTIC view of democracy in our standard textbooks. . Thomas R. Dye and L. Harmon Zeigler. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Who Rules America?
“We the People…”
I ask you….
The Irony of DemocracyThomas R. Dye and L. Harmon Zeigler
American political life is based on an ELITE theory of Democracy. They challenge the PLURALISTIC view of
democracy in our standard textbooks.
“The Power Elite Theory”
Two Basic Themes….• Who rules America? ELITES do,
not the masses.• In order for DEMOCRACY to
survive, elites must govern, not the masses.
Basic Definitions of Democracy
• Government by the PEOPLE• MAJORITY Rule• The principle of equality of rights,
equal OPPORTUNITY and equal treatment.
Is it TRULY this way?
Who are the “Elites?”• W_____ and E_______ are the prestigious
and socially prominent, or “elite”.
Who are the “Masses?”
•Those who lack wealth and education are less prestigious and are not socially prominent. Large Middle Class….who
is this today? ME? YOU?
Specifically, the Elites are:
•Military• Corporate Leaders• Politicians
The “Masses” median incomes (’05 #’s)
• 9th grade or less: $17K annually!• HS: 26K• Bachelor’s: 43K (75% college drop out rate; 72% more $ lifetime
with degree)• Master’s: 52K• Professional: 82K
Average Salary 2010
$41, 673
How do individuals and companies concentrate their power?
• Own huge blocks of stocks of other companies• Through INTERLOCKING
DIRECTORATES• Alliances• Massive Conglomerates
INTERLOCKING DIRECTORATES
INTERLOCKING DIRECTORATES
Massive Conglomerates
• Large companies that consist of seemingly unrelated business sections. • Business selling products in more
than one market, therefore not c____________ with each other.
Conglomerates
Conglomerates
“THE” Media Conglomerate
Other Media Conglomerates
How else do individuals and companies concentrate their power?
• The M________ - I_________ Complex• The US Military along with:
Boeing, Lockheed, General Dynamics, McDonnell-Douglas, Grumman
Conspiracy Theory??
• Increase defense spending at the detriment of social programs; to promote a war threat to acquire a stranglehold on the national economy.
Participants:
• M________ leaders• D________ contractors• C_____________ with bases in their
districts• L______ U_______• U______________ engaged in military
r_______
If the masses don’t REALLY run America, (according to Dye and
Ziegler) what about Elections?
Hmm….what do you think?
“If democracy is to survive, elites must govern. Masses are apathetic, ill-informed,
….and have a weak commitment to e_____ rights.”
Before we look @ elections, let’s look at the attitudes of the masses:
Do you believe this?
Masses don’t necessarily believe in right to dissent, freedom of speech and press, religious toleration, and
due process of law.
Election Turnout
• 2010 Ohio Primary• 2009 Ohio General Election• 2008 Ohio Presidential • 2008 Nationwide Turnout: (Let’s go to the
clickers….)
Elections give the masses a satisfying feeling of p____.
Do voters order troops overseas or pass new
tax laws?
Elections and parties are important only for their
s______ value.
It gives the masses a role to play on election day.
Elections encourage the elites to consider the w______ of the
masses
Elitism contends that the masses have (at best) only an indirect
influence on the decision making of the elites.
TRUE? Somewhat? Not at all?
Where will YOUR influence more likely prevail in politics?
???????